On View

Roman

Portrait of a man in the Republican style

Unknown artist, RomanPortrait of a man in the Republican style, first century CE or laterMarbleHeight: 33.5 cm (13 3/16 inches)Museum Appropriation Fund 25.063

This portrait of a man represents a balding man of late middle age with wrinkled and sagging skin. While it seems to portray a specific individual, it depicts an ideal of its time: a statesman of the Roman Republican period, when high office was reserved for those of advanced years and much experience in public service. Portraits from the late Republican period highlight the culturally defined virtues of frankness, integrity, and devotion to duty shared in theory by their subjects. This first-century work is probably based on such late Republican period portraits.

This carefully sculpted head represents a particular individual: a balding man of late middle age with wrinkled, sagging skin and a serious expression. At the same time, it depicts an ideal type: that of a statesman in the Roman Republican period, when high political offices were reserved for those of advanced years and patrician birth. Images of the time sought to highlight culturally defined virtues: frankness, integrity, and devotion to duty. Portrait statues of illustrious men filled Rome’s public spaces and portrait busts of distinguished ancestors lined the entrance halls of the homes of the Roman elite.